News Briefs for July 30, 2012

•Robert Mondavi Winery is partnering with musician Josh Groban on a promotional campaign and a yet-to-be-named Napa Valley wine, slated for release in 2013. Groban will work closely with Robert Mondavi director of winemaking Genevieve Janssens and winery chef Jeff Mosher during the collaboration. Additional details about the wine, which will be made at the Robert Mondavi Winery, were not available at press time. The promotional campaign will include in-store displays featuring a new album by Groban that is expected to come out next year. The brand’s existing portfolio includes a line of Napa Valley wines, district Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Oakville, Stags Leap and Los Carneros, a Reserve line and Spotlight wines. The Robert Mondavi Winery brand, part of the Constellation portfolio, depleted 272,000 cases in the U.S. in 2011 on a 21.4% volume increase, according to Impact Databank.

•Opici Wines is rolling out a new Sangiovese blend, Spolverino, from Tuscan winery Carpineto nationwide. Spolverino is from the Toscana IGT and is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo. The 13.5%-abv offering will sell for around $15.99 a bottle. Spolverino, which is Italian for “feather duster,” bears a Stelvin Lux+ screwcap closure and QR code technology on the back label. Carpineto farms 1,000 acres across four estates in Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile and Maremma. Its other labels include Dogajolo, Farnito and the Appodiati Single Vineyard Collection.

•Chicago-based Vin Divino has been named the national sales and marketing agent for Napa winery B Cellars. Founded in 2003 by Jim Borsack and Duffy Keys, B Cellars wines are sourced negoçiant-style from multiple vineyards in Napa Valley. Company winemaker Kirk Venge blends four proprietary wines and eight small production, single-varietals—Carneros Syrah, Mt. Veeder Syrah, Caldwell’s Kreuzer Canyon Syrah, Dr. Crane Cabernet Sauvignon, To Kalon Cabernet, Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah. The B Cellars wines range in price from $55 for the blends to $145 for limited releases. The brand joins a Vin Divino portfolio that also includes wines from Chile, Austria, Spain and Italy.

Tagged : Constellation Wines, wine

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